John Cronin Russell Davis, Sr. Part II

Part VIIb: Four Grandchildren of Andrew Russell and Josephine Davis

John Cronin Russell Davis, Sr.

(My Father)

Part II

Cronin and Evelyn Davis were married on September 9, 1936. Eleven months later in August of 1937 their first of six sons was born. The first son was named John Cronin Russell Davis, Jr. Cronin, Jr. was born at the Health Infirmary on the University of Alabama’s Tuscaloosa Campus. Fourteen months later in October of 1938 a second son was born and was named after his maternal and paternal grandfathers. Charles Luther Davis. Charles was born south of Moundville, Alabama in a log cabin that actually doubled as a restaurant and dwelling for the family. My parents operated the restaurant. This business adventure ended abruptly (according to one of my older brothers) when the authorities discovered that my father was selling bootlegged whiskey on the side to make ends meet. This led the young Davis family at the outbreak of World War II, to move to Mobile, Alabama where they lived for a while at 58 Lemoyne Place with Isaac Luther Davis and his wife Irene Cronin Davis, the parents of Cronin Davis, Sr.

In March of 1942 a third son, Edward Larry Davis was born. Larry was named after Uncle Ed Davis, the brother of his paternal grandfather. The family at that time could have been living in Chickasaw, Alabama, which is short distance north of Mobile. The street name of the house could have been Green Street. Cronin, Jr. and Charles the older two sons began their elementary schooling at St. Mary’s Parochial School in Mobile which was only a block away from the grandparents' home. When the family moved to Chickasaw, I’m not sure if the two older boys continued their schooling at St. Mary’s. These were war years, and tires, gasoline, and numerous other items were rationed so every auto trip had to count and only necessary driving was allowed. My mother told me that she remembered buying a city bus ticket for herself and the children. They would ride the bus to the end of the line and back as a way of getting out of the house for a little entertainment. In October of 1944, a fourth son was born to Cronin and Evelyn Davis. Ronald Evan Davis (yours truly) was named after Uncle Evan Terry, the brother-in-law of his paternal grandfather. A fifth son was born in December of 1948—Richard Wayne Davis. Rick was named for himself as far as I know. Glenn Alan Davis was born in October of 1950. Once again a name that stood for itself. I remember asking my father why three of his sons were born in October. I thought it was interesting that we celebrated our birthdays within nine days of each other. His only reply was, “Son, we had three cold winters.” I didn’t understand his answer until several years later.

At this point, in order to expedite in a timely fashion this account of John Cronin Russell Davis, Sr., I will give a summary of memories of my father as I recall them. With anyone’s life there are so many facets that are intertwined and woven together that several volumes could not contain all of the events as well as personal thoughts of that life. This meager account is a feeble attempt to pass on to future generations a partial memory of one of their ancestors, namely, John Cronin Russell Davis, Sr. (to be continued)